If you've kept up with the early previews of New World Season 10, you already know the update brings a fresh wave of PvE content to the game. From the daunting Isle of Night raid to the atmospheric and labyrinth-like Catacombs, the season is built around cooperative play. Most players will naturally approach this content with a group, especially since many of New World Coins  these activities were designed with teamwork in mind.
 
But what if you want to try something different? What if you're the type who enjoys solo challenges, personal trials, or pushing the limits of what's possible in the game's PvE environment? While the Isle of Night raid is realistically off-limits to solo players due to its 10-player structure and high difficulty walls, Catacombs is a completely different story. With the right preparation, strategy, and mindset, it is absolutely possible to explore this dungeon solo.
 
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about attempting Catacombs solo in Season 10, what builds work best, the challenges you'll face, and how to maximize your success and rewards.
 
Why Catacombs Works for Solo Players
 
Catacombs is structured as a flexible, semi-linear dungeon that accommodates variable playstyles. While the recommended setup is a standard trio of DPS, tank, and healer, the game does not enforce grouping. You can enter with a team, split off on your own, and navigate through different paths independently. This makes the activity uniquely suited to experimentation.
 
The dungeon itself features multiple corridors, corridors branching into side chambers, optional detours, and varying enemy densities. Because Catacombs does not rely on tightly coordinated mechanics or unavoidable team-based checks, a skilled solo player can make meaningful progress. You will not be able to brute-force encounters like you would in lower-tier content, but you can work through enemies methodically and carve out your own route.
 
That flexibility is what makes Catacombs the perfect solo challenge for New World players who enjoy pushing limits without requiring an entire raid behind them.
 
The Recommended Level of Preparation
 
Before going in solo, you need to understand one crucial aspect of Catacombs: the enemies hit much harder than typical overworld mobs, and mistakes are punished quickly. Going in under-geared is almost guaranteed failure.
 
Here's what you should prepare before even considering a solo attempt:
 
Gear Level
While there is no strict minimum, a gear score in the top bracket of Season 10 content is highly recommended. You should ideally have a well-optimized build with gear perks that synergize meaningfully.
 
Sustain Tools
Unlike group play where healers keep you alive, solo adventurers need their own recovery tools. Potions, food buffs, consumables, cleansing tonics, and self-healing abilities are essential.
 
Mobility and Crowd Control
You won't have a tank peeling enemies off you, so mobility is crucial. Builds lacking dodges, escapes, or stuns will struggle.
 
Knowledge of Enemy Mechanics
Catacombs contains enemies with mixed elemental profiles, status effects, and several elite variants. The more familiar you are with enemy patterns, the less likely you are to be overwhelmed.
 
The Best Solo Builds for Catacombs
 
There is no single best solo build because Catacombs allows for different playstyles, but solo players generally fall into three categories:
 
1. Self-Sustaining Bruisers
 
Weapons like the Greatsword, Hatchet, and War Hammer allow you to keep a strong blend of damage, crowd control, and survivability. Hatchet's Berserk mode is particularly powerful in a solo environment due to its healing and defensive buffs.
 
Recommended Pairings:
Greatsword with Sword and Shield, or Hatchet with War Hammer.
 
2. Ranged Kiter Builds
 
Players who prefer distance can use the Bow, Musket, or Fire Staff to control fights and minimize risk. Kiting builds excel in large, open rooms of the Catacombs but require precision.
 
Recommended Pairings:
Bow with Spear for crowd control, or Fire Staff with Ice Gauntlet for slows and zoning.
 
3. Hybrid Healer Builds
 
The Life Staff, when paired with a moderate DPS weapon, allows consistent sustain while letting you chip down enemies slowly but safely. While slower, this method is remarkably reliable for solo attempts.
 
Recommended Pairings:
Life Staff with Rapier or Void Gauntlet.
 
How to Approach Catacombs as a Solo Player
 
Going solo changes the way you interact with nearly every part of the dungeon. Fights are slower, positioning becomes your primary defense, and clearing rooms must be done strategically.
 
Take Fights One Room at a Time
Never run into a chamber without identifying every mob inside. Pull single enemies when possible, and avoid aggroing groups unless your build is designed for AoE.
 
Use Pillars and Corners
Catacombs is filled with structures that break line of sight. Use them to reset fights or funnel enemies.
 
Save Cooldowns for Dangerous Packs
Emergency abilities should not be used early. Save them for elite mobs, ranged attackers, or rooms with mixed enemy types.
 
Know When to Retreat
Retreating is not failure. If a pull goes wrong, reset the mobs and try again.
 
What Rewards Can You Get for Soloing Catacombs?
 
The reward structure in Catacombs does not change whether you're solo or grouped. This means solo players can still earn:
 
Seasonal progression materials
High-level PvE drops
Unique Catacombs loot
Crafting components
Daily and weekly activity rewards
 
The difference is the time it takes to earn them. Solo players will progress slower, but the challenge itself becomes part of the reward, especially for those who enjoy high-risk PvE.
 
Final Thoughts: Should You Attempt Catacombs Solo?
 
If you enjoy challenging content, enjoy theorycrafting builds, or simply want a new way to experience Season 10, the answer is absolutely yes. Catacombs is one of the few new PvE modes that accommodates both team-based and solo play without feeling artificially restricted. While the Isle of Night raid is off the table for solo attempts, Catacombs remains a playground for experimentation and personal achievements.
 
With the right preparation, build planning, and patience, soloing Catacombs is not only possible but genuinely rewarding. It might take longer than team runs, but the sense of victory when you finally clear a difficult chamber alone is incomparable.
 
Season 10 is full of cheap New World Coins  new content and new challenges. If you're ready to push yourself, gather your supplies, plan your route, and step into the Catacombs alone. You might be surprised by just how far you can go.